Passion Amongst the Willows: Saving Yellow-billed Cuckoos

I have never seen a yellow-billed cuckoo, except in a clock, but chances are I never will. They're good at staying hidden, but experts say their numbers in California are dropping fast. That prompts government action so you, like me, might one day have a chance to see and especially hear this fascinating species.

Courtesy: Audubon Society

To hear these birds, to know their song, is to witness passion through sound. The experts at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology also say yellow-billed cuckoos are fairly easy to hear, but hard to spot.

In summer, they suggest looking in areas of deciduous forest for infestations of tent caterpillars, as well as outbreaks of cicadas or other large arthropods. Then listen for the species’ distinctive, knocking call, which can be given at any time, night or day. Later in summer, listen more for their dove-like cooing, as they give their knocking call much less frequently.

When the birds have feasted on caterpillars and insects and feel secure, experts say a receptive female may perch with its head up, pumping its tail slowly up and down in a 180-degree arc. Just prior to mating, the male yellow-billed cuckoo snaps off a short twig and presents it to the female as he perches on her back and leans over her shoulder.

Both birds then grasp the twig as they copulate. When they leave their sheltered perch, the yellow-billed cuckoo’s flight is swift and direct, with deep beats of their long pointed wings.

Courtesy: http://www.wildphotosphotography.com/

In California the birds live in willows along streams. Once common in the California’s Central Valley, coastal valleys, and riparian habitats east of the Sierra Nevada, habitat loss now constrains the California breeding population to small numbers of birds along the Kern, Sacramento, Feather and Lower Colorado Rivers.

The species is virtually silent by day during migration, so watch for their distinctive long, slim shape and rapid, fluid wing beats as they cross over open patches below treetop level on their way from one wood area to another. In fall, areas with fall webworm infestations often support yellow-billed cuckoos.

Now, the western population of the yellow-billed cuckoo will be protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today.

The Service determined that listing a distinct population segment (DPS) of the bird in portions of 12 western states, Canada and Mexico is warranted. In the U.S., the DPS will cover parts of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The western population of the yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), is found along creeks in woodland areas, winters in South America and breeds in western North America. Once abundant in the western United States, populations have declined for several decades, primarily due to the severe loss, degradation and fragmentation of its riparian habitat.

 “While the major threat to yellow-billed cuckoos has been loss of riverside habitat, we do not anticipate any significant new water-related requirements as a result of this listing decision,” said Ren Lohoefener, Director of the Service’s Pacific Southwest Region. “The water resource requirements for riparian habitat are not unique to cuckoos, and in many cases are already being implemented for other species.”

Courtesy: Dan Pancamo

The Service’s final listing rule will become effective Nov. 3, 2014.

Here's a video glimpse of this increasingly rare bird species: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCtBOzNcaaw

The Run Around: Sac Town Shuffle

With friends out traveling the world, my stay-at-home self often feels envious and a bit left out. With the expense of two sons in college and a delightfully demanding job as a writer, photographer and editor, it's hard to throw darts at a map and start packing.

But, what I found yesterday in my own backyard lifted my spirits. There's lots to see at home, all that's needed is a welcoming eye and a bit of gauzy smoke from forest fires burning in the Sierra. My son and I set out for Old Town Sacramento for fish and chips (Railroad Fish & Chips on Front Street - the best!) and a walk-about. Here's what we saw:

Sacramento River Water Pavilion

Son Mike, Sacramento River Bridges in the background

Old water intake pump

Train bridge

Near Train Museum

Mike

Murals

Smokey twilight

Good Night Light

Beauty and Sorrow on the Bay

San Francisco Bay is perhaps one of the most photographed places on Earth and it's hard to get images that go beyond cliche. But, it's also home, a place where I've lived and returned to all my life, so shop-worn visuals or not, it's home. Here are some images taken last week after my family and I scattered my brother Richard's ashes in the water's just beyond the Golden Gate Bridge.

We chartered a boat and headed out Sept. 10 from the Sausalito harbor just before sunset. Across the water we could see Baker Beach, a few blocks from where we grew up in San Francisco's Richmond District. Once my brother's remains were safely laid to rest, we had time to take in our surroundings and reflect on the day, embrace the wild beauty of the late summer evening and consider our loss.

We returned to the harbor just as night fell, filled with sorrow that my brother was no longer with us to enjoy the life we have always lived in and around the bay, but we also came ashore with awe and renewed love for each other.

Fashion, Film and Fantasy

When I got there the music was bumping, pounding in a way guaranteed to give you tinnitus in old age. I wiggled around the limos to get to the velvet rope where the guard did a full look-over before letting me in, the list monitor matched my name to my face, then I was there, in the happening--Beatnik Gallery, fantasy-time Sacramento.

"Fashion On Film" premier, a showcase of short films inspired by the local fashion scene, was a melange of photo shoot, runway show, costume design showcase, make-up and hair design, trunk sale and party in an art gallery with tons of people.

Here's a link to a video explaining what this fun evening was about http://youtu.be/u6fE4QhTfmw

And, here's a link to film producer/director Matt Salvo's movie trailer for "Freakquency"

High fashion is not my usual subject matter so I was astonished to find hundreds of people in a big mid-town art gallery celebrating the local fashion scene on a work night.

Runway show at "Fashion on Film" premier

 I was there because a couple of friends have produced fashion films selected for the upcoming Sacramento International Film Festival and another friend, a former high-fashion model, has an insightful new memoir out about her international modeling experiences -- Runway: Confession of a not-so supermodel. As a result, beautiful clothes, body art, technology and fun suddenly came together in my life. I wasn't looking for it. It just happened and now I'm trying to understand "fashion" in this larger, more dynamic context.  

When the party was over, I couldn't help but wonder What's the point?  Yes, it was a fun evening. But, I guess I'm wondering why young women model. What I mean is why would any beautiful young woman wants to dress in showy clothes and strut around grabbing attention? If you're young and beautiful, the attention is automatic so why bother with theatrics? What is the internal dynamic that causes someone to exhibit themselves beyond the usual notice? What's the emotional payoff on the runway?

One of the short films was the story about a girl caught in the hum-drum of life and college. For her, getting onto the runway was about "the dress." I assume the motivation was that she got to wear lovely clothes she wouldn't be able to otherwise. Is that a common motivation for models or is there something deeper? What's in it for the model?

Meghan modeling, age 18

I asked author/editor Meghan Ward about the motivation and she said: "For me it was ALL about the money. During high school, I was waitressing at the Sign of the Beefcarver for $2.15 an hour plus tips (and the tips were low because we didn't have our own tables and didn't serve the food - it was a buffet-style restaurant). I met a girl in a lifeguarding class I was taking who had just been paid $800 for one day modeling in a pizza commercial. I was probably making $50/day waitressing. That clinched it for me.

"But others do it for other reasons," Meghan said. "I think many just like the attention, the chance to be on a runway or in a magazine and be admired by others. Others do it to get away from their home towns and travel. I think every model has a different reason."

She has a blog post about the top 10 questions people ask her about modeling. Here's an answer to the question:

Do you miss it?

Meghan: I miss the travel sometimes. I never stayed in one country for more than three months at a time. I lived in Paris, London, Tokyo, Milan, Hamburg, Munich, Zurich, Sydney, and New York and traveled to Greece and India. And I miss the money sometimes. I could afford designer clothes back then. I owned a $2000 jacket and several $400 pairs of shoes (and this was 25 years ago). I bought my own apartment in Paris when I was 21 (long sold, sniff sniff), and an Alfa Romeo for my French boyfriend at the time. But it’s really true that money doesn’t buy happiness. I’m much happier now wearing blue jeans and tennis shoes  than I ever was back then.

Although not my usual subject matter, here are some raw images captured at the Fashion on Film preview party:

Film producer/director Kim Mims
 on the red carpet

With film producer/director Matt Salvo
Photo by Ching Lee

Cast of "Freakquency" with producer/director Matt Salvo

From "Gatsby Glam" collection

"007 Hot Shot" collection

"Star Wars Fantasy" collection

"Star Wars Fantasy" collection

"Street Smart" collection

Kim Mims talks inspiration/motivation behind
her fashion short: "Life on the Reeway"

Why does fashion matter?
Leave a comment.
We'd like to know what you think.

You'll find us in the Word Garden

The Runaround

Note: The Runaround is an occasional Word Garden feature that includes info on happenings and events sent in that we're happy to share.

 

Nov. 8, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Reception and Photo Archive Sale, Upstairs Studios ARTHOUSE, 1021 R St. Sacramento. Art photographer Dianne Poinski offers her experimental images, proofs, mistakes and miracles at reduced, sometimes "extremely" reduced prices. The sale will continue and be open to the public on Second Saturday, Nov. 9, but the best selection will be found on Friday evening. Find her online at www.dpoinski.com

 

 

 

 

Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Art in the Garden at UC Riverside Botanic Garden www.ucr.edu — to raise funds for the Botanic Gardens. Artists will sell paintings, jewelry, musical instruments, metal work and ceramics. The event is free for members of the Friends of the UCR Botanic Gardens and $4 for non-members, which is the regular gardens admission cost. Parking is $2 in lot 13. Please note that not all of the artists are equipped to take debit or credit cards. For more information about the gardens, including directions, visit http://gardens.ucr.edu/.

 

Nov. 16, 2 to 4 p.m., San Francisco, Kashia-Russian Exchange: An Afternoon of Stories, Dance, and FoodThe California Historical Society, 678 Mission St. (map)

In 2012, to mark the bicentennial of the founding of Fort Ross in the Sonoma County coast by Russian fur traders on Kashia land, a group of Kashia Pomo people made a cultural exchange trip to Russia. Join the Honorable Russian Consul General Mr. Sergey V. Petrov of the Russian Federation in San Francisco and Kashia Tribal members for an afternoon of stories from the trip and plans for a future trip, as well as a special performance by the Su-Nu-Nu Shinal dancers and a tasting of traditional foods with a modern flair. Along with the issue of News from Native California featuring the Kashia trip to Russia, there will be Kashia jewelry for sale. The event is free, but donations to The Metini Native Cultural Foundation are gratefully accepted.

 

Upcoming Outdoor Events from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife

 

Tundra Swan

 

Weekends — Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve. Docent-led walks are scheduled every Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Binoculars and bird books are available for the public to borrow at no cost. The visitor center and main overlook are fully accessible. Day use fee is $4.32 per person, age 16 and older. Groups of 10 or more should schedule a separate tour. For more information, visit www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/er/region4/elkhorn.html.

Weekends — Guided Wildlife Tours at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 12:30 to 2 p.m., Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley (95948). Each walking tour through this premier birding spot highlights the migratory waterfowl and other wetland wildlife. The cost is included in the wildlife area entrance fee. Tours are canceled in the event of heavy rain. No reservations are necessary for groups of less than 12 people. For more information, please call (530) 846-7505 or email Lori.Dieter@wildlife.ca.gov.

Weekends — CDFW Sandhill Crane Wetland Tours at Woodbridge Ecological Reserve. Tours are available each month October through February. They are timed to begin in the late afternoon when the crane “fly-in” for the evening roost can be observed. For more information, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/delta/cranetour/ or call (209) 234-3435. Tours fill quickly. Self-guided tours are also available to view the cranes and other wetland birds.

 

 

Yuba River East of Marysville, 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The tour will focus on the salmon life cycle and its natural history. For more information, please visitwww.dfg.ca.gov/regions/2/salmontours/.

Saturdays — Swan Tours in Yuba County, 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. The event explores an area called District 10, a 23,000-acre expanse of privately owned rice fields and restored habitat. This area boasts one of the largest seasonal concentrations of tundra swans in the Central Valley as well as a variety of other species, including ducks, geese, shorebirds, herons, egrets and raptors. For more information, please visitwww.dfg.ca.gov/regions/2/swantours/.

Going Native -- Top to Bottom

So I get up at dark o'clock and head out from Sacramento to the Santa Cruz Mountains above Silicon Valley, traveling ribbons of asphalt, then along the spiny top of the mountains, before plunging into a deep, west-facing ravine. I head down a rutted dirt road. My destination is Yerba Buena Nursery, California's oldest retail plant nursery specializing in native plants.



Jan Stewart, gardener

I meet up with Jan Stewart, left, avid gardener and advisor on all things California grown. Our mission is to first enjoy the nursery's 40-acre demonstration garden, contemplate the collection over tea and finger sandwiches in the nursery's old farmhouse, and come to some conclusions about incorporating native plants into ornamental gardens.

The nursery was founded in 1960 by Gerda Isenberg, a pioneer in the native landscape movement. On her family's 3,000-acre cattle ranch, Gerda built a nursery dedicated to natives, many of them are today rare or endangered in the wild.

I'll let you in on our conclusions in a minute. In the meantime, here are some images of what we saw as we walked the garden in early spring.

The good folks at Yerba Buena (means good herbs in Spanish) say there are many reasons to grow native plants. They're diverse and beautiful, hearty in their native climates and, perhaps most importantly, they create a sense of place, a homey normalcy. It's what we talk about when we talk about California. And, native wildlife usually make themselves right at home, which is only natural. The nursery includes more than 600 species of plants, all grown from seeds, cuttings and divisions.

Over petite fours and hot tea on a blustery spring afternoon, we enjoyed the sweeping view from the farm house dining room, done up in chintz and roses. Here's what Jan and I decided. Everything they say about native plants is true: they're beautiful, drought tolerant, attract beneficial wildlife and provide a unique sense of place. But . . .  You knew there'd be a but. Wild and leggy, native plants don't provide the sculpted, multi-dimensional richness of an intentional garden. They can be planned into tough spots where more delicate non-natives don't thrive.

But, natives are not indestructable. I brought an aromatic shrub home, planted it in an unshaded front bed in my garden and it promptly keeled over. Another tip, find a local native plant nursery that sells species suited to your own micro-climate. I saw many ferns and delicate flowering plants perfect for coastal growing areas, but unsuited to Sacramento's blistering summers and heavy clay soils. There was much at Yerba Buena that just won't work in my garden.

Decorative gardens need native touches and accents, we decided, sometimes in stronger measure than others, depending on the design and environmental conditions. But to feed the spirit and calm the soul, a well-designed garden calls for more than just going native from top to bottom.

If you've got thoughts about using native plants in ornamental gardens or have photos of natives showing how they're used, please submit them through the comment box on this blog. We'd love to see how you've incorporated natives into your own garden. Let's take a look.